Toronto Maple Leafs: Why Re-signing William Nylander Is the Right Move

As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for the 2023-24 season, one of Brad Treliving’s key priorities is securing the future of star forward William Nylander.

Nylander’s contract negotiations have been a hot topic among Toronto Maple Leafs fans, with rumours of potential trade swirling over the off-season.

However, there are compelling reasons for the Leafs to prioritize resigning Nylander and keeping him in Toronto for the long term.

William Nylander has established himself as a vital player for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In the 2022-23 season, he delivered a career-best performance, tallying an impressive 40 goals and 87 points in 82 games.

Such production is rare in the NHL, and Nylander’s consistency and offensive prowess make him an asset that any team would covet.

Toronto Maple Leafs: Why Re-signing William Nylander Is the Right Move

Nylander’s commitment to the Leafs is evident. Despite being aware of the trade rumours, he has made it clear that he wants to stay in Toronto. His dedication to the team and the city should not be underestimated.

While the negotiations for Nylander’s contract extension have been ongoing, it’s important to consider the financial aspects. Both the Leafs and Nylander’s camp have their own ideas about the average annual value (AAV) of the upcoming extension.

The Leafs are reportedly aiming to keep the AAV under $9.5 million, while Nylander’s camp may be looking for over $10 million.

However, the NHL’s salary cap is expected to increase significantly over the next few seasons, providing the Leafs with more financial flexibility. This means that Toronto should be able to accommodate Nylander’s salary demands without jeopardizing their overall cap structure.

The Potential for Trade Offers

General managers in the NHL are always open to listening to trade offers, and Brad Treliving is no exception. It’s part of their job to explore different options to improve their team.

It’s crucial to note that, despite the rumours, Treliving has not actively shopped Nylander to the highest bidder. Instead, any talks about Nylander’s future have remained in the exploratory stage.

Considering the Maple Leafs status as one of the top teams in the league for the upcoming season, a trade would seem unlikely, however the Leafs have four elite forwards and an, at-best, mediocre blue-line so it’s not like it would be that shocking.

Obviously, if a trade were to happen, it would likely be for a top-pairing defenseman, because the Toronto Maple Leafs clearly need one of those.

Despite that, the Leafs have every reason to prioritize re-signing William Nylander. He has proven his value on the ice with outstanding performances, he wants to remain in Toronto, and the financial flexibility of the team should allow them to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

While trade discussions may be part of the GM’s job, I do not think the Leafs should trade William Nylander.